The British government has confirmed its plans to commence post-Brexit border checks, focusing on plant and animal products starting from April 30th. Amid reports of congestion at ports affecting health and safety checks on EU imports, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) assures that the checks will proceed as scheduled, prioritizing the inspection of vulnerable goods. Defra emphasizes that all necessary infrastructure is in place for the smooth implementation of these checks.
These border inspections, conducted by the Port Health Authority, will primarily involve documentary assessments of hazardous goods, with traders advised to reach out in case of any concerns. The UK government stresses that the primary objective behind these measures is to ensure biosecurity protection, benefiting all stakeholders, including traders.
In a meeting between Agriculture Minister Charlie McConlogh and UK Environment and Food Minister Steve Barclay, discussions centered on the importance of mitigating trade barriers resulting from inspections. However, the Irish Exporters’ Association seeks clarity from the British government regarding the specifics of the new border checks, expressing concerns over potential disruptions if all commodity codes are activated simultaneously.
Notably, UK businesses facing increased costs of up to £145 per import from the EU are urging for a delay in the implementation of new border controls until autumn. Despite these calls, the British government remains firm on its decision to proceed with the planned checks, aiming to uphold regulatory standards and ensure the smooth flow of goods post-Brexit.